Liverpool transfer news as a $41M deal is agreed and Bradley Barcola is given some advice amid speculation that Arsenal could join the race for the PSG winger this summer
PSG winger Bradley Barcola.
PSG winger Bradley Barcola.(Image: Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Liverpool now has little more than a week remaining in which to get a deal over the line for Bradley Barcola, while another star appears set to head for the exit door.
Sporting director Richard Hughes has plenty of work to do before September 1, at which point Liverpool needs to have bolstered its roster with at least a couple of signings. As it stands, Andoni Iraola doesn't have enough depth.
Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today. We start with the latest on Curtis Jones, who has long been of interest to Inter Milan.
Curtis Jones (Liverpool to Inter Milan)
Liverpool midfielder Jones looks set to join Inter Milan with Fabrizio Romano breaking the news that there has been a breakthrough in negotiations.
A fee of around $41 million (£30 million) is expected to seal the deal. Inter looked at Jones in January but an exit was blocked by Liverpool, who needed to keep him until the end of the season.
Jones has been at Anfield since the age of nine and has won six major trophies (two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups, one Emirates FA Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup).
Curtis Jones in action for Liverpool during pre-season.
Curtis Jones in action for Liverpool during pre-season.(Image: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
His current contract with Liverpool only runs until the end of the coming season and Jones wants a bigger role in the team. That is something that he should get under Cristian Chivu in the Italian top flight.
Liverpool.com says: Losing Jones would be a blow, but it isn't a surprise. The biggest question is what happens with a replacement, and whether Trey Nyoni is trusted with stepping up.
Bradley Barcola (PSG)
Neil Ruddock says Bradley Barcola would enjoy playing for Liverpool more than Arsenal amid speculation that the Gunners could join the race for winger having missed out on Vinicius Jr
With Liverpool yet to agree a price with PSG for Barcola, Mikel Arteta's men have been put forward as a possible alternative destination in some quarters.
There is no real suggestion of a hijack, though, with Liverpool still in negotiations for a player who will cost considerably more than $100M to bring in.
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"With Arsenal coming off a league title, their pulling power is huge right now," Ruddock said. "A year ago, Liverpool would have been the clear first choice, but winning the league puts Arsenal ahead in the queue.
"Liverpool is the greatest and most famous football institution in the world. Walking out at a packed Anfield every single week is the ultimate experience in football.
"Get yourself to Liverpool and be adored by the Kop — don't waste your career going down to Arsenal!
"I was fortunate enough to play in front of a full Anfield — there is no finer arena in world football. If you ask nine out of 10 professional footballers, their favorite away ground is Anfield. Playing there week in, week out is special."
Liverpool.com says: Barcola getting over the line is a must. Arsenal might be keen, but the Reds are further down the line with a move. The player has long been open to a move, and a concrete update needs to emerge soon.